Rowe, Wade arrested on drug charges

Related Media

South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team members arrested two people on suspicion of drug charges Nov. 2 after the pair allegedly tried to make a hand-off of cocaine and heroin at Barton Memorial Hospital.

South Lake Tahoe resident Jeffery Wade, 50, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and a probation violation, according to El Dorado County Sheriff's Office booking information. Lisa Rowe, also of South Lake Tahoe, was arrested on suspicion of possession and transportation of a controlled substance, said Jeff Catchings, the task force's commander. Rowe's age was not available Thursday afternoon.

Wade remained in custody in El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe Thursday. Rowe, who has been released on bail, did not immediately return a request for comment. It is unknown whether either has an attorney.

Wade was under investigation for being a "mid-level" drug dealer when task force members spotted him driving in the area of the 7-Eleven near the state line about 3 p.m. Friday, Catchings said. Knowing he had a suspended driver's license, task force members pulled him over at the convenience store.

During the traffic stop, Wade feigned a heart attack and was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital, Catchings said.

While at Barton, hospital employees witnessed Wade pass drugs to Rowe and alerted authorities, Catchings said. Rowe was arrested while leaving the hospital and Wade was booked after being discharged, Catchings said.

The task force recovered 7 grams of heroin and 9.5 grams of cocaine as a result of the arrests, Catchings said.

Heroin continues to be a problem at the South Shore. Authorities have recorded two dozen heroin-related deaths in the area since November 2010, Catchings said.